Vehicle display control device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle display control device that enhances the likelihood of a driver visually confirming a situation display element while reducing a risk of the driver feeling annoyed with the situation display element.SOLUTION: A vehicle display control device comprises: a control unit capable of executing travel support control enabling a vehicle to travel at a preset speed or to follow a preceding vehicle; and a display device for displaying a situation display element related to an execution situation of the travel support control in a predetermined display region. The control unit is configured to set the display region to a first region when neither a first condition indicating that the travel support control is active nor a second condition indicating that the vehicle is traveling on an expressway is satisfied, and set the display region to a second region when at least either the first condition or the second condition is satisfied. The second region is set at a position allowing a driver to have higher visibility than the first region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2B

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle display control device that displays, on a display device, status display elements relating to the execution status of driving support control that causes a vehicle to travel so that its speed coincides with a set vehicle speed or so that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Vehicles that execute the above-mentioned driving assistance control (sometimes referred to as "ACC (Adpative Cruise Control)") have been known for some time. For example, a vehicle display control device described in Patent Document 1 (hereinafter referred to as "the conventional device") turns on a cruise power lamp located at the right end of a meter display when driving assistance control is being executed. This cruise power lamp indicates the execution status of driving assistance control. The cruise power lamp is sometimes referred to as a "status display element." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-42957 Summary of the Invention

[0004] In the conventional device, the status display element is provided at the right end of the meter display. In general, the end of the display has lower visibility than the center. Therefore, in a situation where the driver has a low visibility of the status display element, the possibility that the driver will find the status display element annoying can be reduced. On the other hand, in the above-mentioned situation where the visibility is high, it is highly likely that the driver will have difficulty in viewing the status display element.

[0005] The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems. That is, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a display control device for a vehicle that increases the possibility that the driver will easily view the situation display element while reducing the possibility that the driver will find the situation display element annoying.

[0006] The vehicle display control device of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "device of the present invention") comprises: a control unit (20) capable of executing a driving assistance control for driving the vehicle so that a vehicle speed indicating a speed of the vehicle coincides with a preset set vehicle speed or so that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle; a display device (44) that displays a status display element (54) relating to an execution status of the driving support control in a preset display area (58 or 60); The control unit If neither the first condition that the driving support control is being executed nor the second condition that the vehicle is driving on an expressway is satisfied (step 505 “No” and step 510 “No”), the display area is set to the first area (step 515); When at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied (step 505 “Yes” or step 515 “Yes”), the display area is set to the second area (step 545); The second area is set at a position where the driver can see it more clearly than the first area.

[0007] When the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the driver is more likely to cause the control unit to execute driving assistance control. Therefore, when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the driver is more likely to visually recognize the situation display element. Even when the driver causes the control unit to execute driving assistance control, the driver is more likely to visually recognize the situation display element. According to the device of the present invention, when driving assistance control is being executed and / or when the vehicle is traveling on a highway, the situation display element is displayed in a second area that has higher visibility than the first area. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility that the driver will easily visually recognize the situation display element while reducing the possibility that the driver will find the situation display element annoying. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of a vehicle display control device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2A] 2 is an explanatory diagram of the display device shown in FIG. 1 when a situation display element is displayed in a first area. FIG. [Figure 2B] 2 is an explanatory diagram of the display device shown in FIG. 1 when a situation display element is displayed in a second area. FIG. [Diagram 3] 2 is a flowchart of a start / end determination routine executed by a CPU of the ECU shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 4] 2 is a flowchart of a driving support control routine executed by a CPU of the ECU shown in FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 2 is a flowchart of a display control routine executed by a CPU of the ECU shown in FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, a vehicle display control device 10 according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as "the device 10") is applied to a vehicle VA, and includes the components shown in FIG.

[0010] The ECU 20 executes driving assistance control, which is a type of automatic driving. In driving assistance control, the ECU 20 executes constant speed control when there is no preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle VA, and executes tracking control when there is a preceding vehicle ahead of the vehicle VA. The constant speed control is a control that drives the vehicle VA so that the vehicle speed Vs, which indicates the speed of the vehicle VA, matches a set vehicle speed Vset. The tracking control is a control that drives the vehicle VA so that the inter-vehicle distance D between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle VA matches a set distance Dset. Such driving assistance control is known as ACC (Adpative Cruise Control) and cruise control.

[0011] In this specification, "ECU 20" is an electronic control device having a microcomputer as a main part. The ECU 20 is also called a control unit, a controller, and a computer. The microcomputer includes a CPU (processor), a ROM, a RAM, an interface, and the like. The functions realized by the ECU 20 may be realized by multiple ECUs.

[0012] The camera 22 captures an image of the scenery ahead of the vehicle VA to obtain image data. The ECU 20 obtains the image data from the camera 22.

[0013] The millimeter-wave radar 24 transmits millimeter waves ahead of the vehicle VA. The millimeter-wave radar 24 receives waves that are reflected by an object from the transmitted millimeter waves, thereby identifying the "position of the object with respect to the vehicle VA" and the "relative speed Vr of the object with respect to the vehicle VA." The ECU 20 acquires radar object information including the position and relative speed Vr of the object with respect to the vehicle VA from the millimeter-wave radar 24.

[0014] The navigation device 26 has a GNSS receiver 26a and a map data storage unit 26b. The GNSS receiver 26a receives signals from a plurality of artificial satellites, and identifies the current position (latitude and longitude) of the vehicle VA based on the received signals. The map data storage unit 26b stores map data. This map data includes registered type information for identifying whether a road is an ordinary road or an expressway.

[0015] The vehicle speed sensor 28 detects the vehicle speed Vs. The acceleration sensor 30 detects the acceleration G in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle VA. The ECU 20 obtains the detection values ​​of these sensors.

[0016] The cruise switch 32 is operated by the driver to start or end driving assistance control. The cancel switch 34 is operated by the driver to interrupt driving assistance control. The reset switch 36 is operated by the driver to resume driving assistance control when the driving assistance control is interrupted.

[0017] The power train actuator 40 changes the driving force generated by a drive device (e.g., an internal combustion engine and / or an electric motor) of the vehicle VA. The brake actuator 42 controls the braking force applied to the vehicle VA. The display device 44 is disposed on an instrument panel of the vehicle VA.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display 44 displays a tachometer 50, a digital speedometer 52, a cruise status indicator light 54, and a cruise setting indicator light 56.

[0019] The tachometer 50 is displayed near the center of the display device 44 and has a circular shape. The tachometer 50 displays one of the engine speed, the hybrid system indicator, and the speedometer. These are switched based on the driver's settings, etc. In Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the tachometer 50 displays the engine speed.

[0020] The digital speedometer 52 displays the vehicle speed Vs in numbers.

[0021] The cruise status indicator lamp 54 is illuminated in green during the period from when the driving support control starts to when it ends (i.e., during the period during which the driving support control is being executed). If the driving support control is interrupted because a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied during the period during which the driving support control is being executed, the cruise status indicator lamp 54 is illuminated in white. In addition, the interrupt condition is met when any of the following conditions is met: the driver operates the accelerator pedal (not shown), the driver operates the brake pedal (not shown), or the driver operates the cancel switch 34. When the driver operates the reset switch 36 to resume driving support control, the cruise status indicator lamp 54 turns green again. As described above, the cruise status indicator lamp 54 indicates the execution status of the driving support control, and is therefore sometimes referred to as a "status display element."

[0022] The cruise setting indicator lamp 56 is displayed inside the tachometer 50, and is lit during the period from when the cruise assist control starts to when it ends. The cruise setting indicator lamp 56 displays the currently set "set vehicle speed Vset and set distance Dset". In Fig. 2A and Fig. 2B, the set vehicle speed Vset is set to "30km / h", and the cruise setting indicator lamp 56 displays "30". Furthermore, the cruise setting indicator lamp 56 displays the set distance Dset with two horizontal lines. The more horizontal lines there are, the longer the set distance Dset is. Note that the set distance Dset changes according to the vehicle speed Vs, and the higher the vehicle speed Vs, the longer the set distance Dset is. The cruise setting indicator lamp 56 displays setting information related to the cruise assist control, and is therefore sometimes referred to as a "setting display element".

[0023] (Overview of operation) When neither the first nor the second condition below is satisfied, the ECU 20 of the present device 10 sets the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator light 54 to the first area 58. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2A, the ECU 20 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the first area 58. On the other hand, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the ECU 20 sets the display area to the second area 60. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2B, the ECU 20 displays the cruise status indicator lamp 54 in the second area 60.

[0024] First condition: Cruise assist control is being executed. Second condition: The vehicle VA is traveling on a highway.

[0025] The second region 60 is closer to the center of the display device 44 than the first region 58. More specifically, the second region 60 is located inside the tachometer 50, and the first region 58 is located outside the tachometer 50. For this reason, the second region 60 is set in advance at a position where it is more visible to the driver than the first region 58.

[0026] When the driving assistance control is being executed, the driver is more likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54. Furthermore, the possibility of the driving assistance control being executed is higher when the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway than when the vehicle VA is traveling on a general road. For this reason, when the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway, the driver is more likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54. Therefore, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the driver is more likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54 than when neither the first condition nor the second condition is satisfied. When the driver is more likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54, the device 10 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the second area 60 with high visibility, and when the driver is less likely to see the cruise status indicator light 54, the device 10 displays the cruise status indicator light 54 in the second area 60 with low visibility. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility that the driver will easily see the cruise status indicator light 54 while reducing the possibility that the driver will find the cruise status indicator light 54 annoying.

[0027] 2A and 2B, the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​is displayed in the second area 60. Therefore, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is met, the cruise setting indicator light 56 ​​and the cruise status indicator light 54 are displayed together in the second area 60, as shown in Fig. 2B. Therefore, the driver can grasp information regarding the execution status of the driving support control and the setting of the driving support control by looking at the second area 60.

[0028] (Specific operation) The CPU of the ECU 20 executes the routines shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 to 5 every time a predetermined time elapses.

[0029] <Start / End Judgment Routine> When an appropriate time arrives, the CPU starts the process from step 300 in FIG. 3, and in step 305, the CPU determines whether the cruise switch 32 has been operated.

[0030] If the cruise switch 32 has been operated, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 305. The process proceeds to step 310, where the CPU determines whether the value of the on flag Xon is "1".

[0031] The value of the on flag Xon is set to "1" when driving support control starts, and is set to "0" when driving support control ends. Furthermore, the value of the on flag Xon is set to "0" in the initial routine. The initial routine is executed by the CPU when the ignition key switch (not shown) of the vehicle VA is changed from the off position to the on position.

[0032] If the value of the on flag Xon is “0”, the CPU determines “Yes” in step 310 and executes steps 315 to 325 . Step 315: The CPU sets the set vehicle speed Vset designated by the driver. The vehicle speed Vs when the driver operates a vehicle speed setting switch (not shown) is set to the set vehicle speed Vset. Therefore, the driver can set the set vehicle speed Vset by operating the vehicle speed setting switch when the vehicle speed Vs reaches a desired speed.

[0033] Step 320: The CPU sets the value of the on flag Xon to “1”. Step 325: The CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to “1”. The execution flag Xexe is set to "1" if the driving support control is not interrupted during the execution period from when the driving support control starts to when it ends, and is set to "0" if the driving support control is interrupted during the execution period. In the initial routine, the value of the execution flag Xexe is set to "0". Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 395, where the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0034] When the process proceeds to step 310 and the value of the on flag Xon is “1”, the CPU determines “No” in step 310 and executes steps 330 to 345 .

[0035] Step 330: The CPU erases the set vehicle speed Vset. Step 335: The CPU stores the currently set set distance Dset. The driver can set the set distance Dset by operating a distance setting switch (not shown).

[0036] Step 340: The CPU sets the value of the on flag Xon to “0”. Step 345: The CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to “0”. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 395, where the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0037] If the cruise switch 32 has not been operated when the process proceeds to step 305, the CPU determines "No" in step 305. In this case, the process proceeds to step 395, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0038] <Drive support control routine> 4, and determines whether the value of the on-flag Xon is "1" or not in step 403. If the value of the on-flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 403. In this case, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0039] If the value of the on flag Xon is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 403. In this case, the process proceeds to step 405, where the CPU determines whether the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" or not.

[0040] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 405. In this case, the process proceeds to step 410. In step 410, the CPU determines whether or not a preceding vehicle exists based on the image data and the radar object information.

[0041] The preceding vehicle is a vehicle that is traveling in the same lane as the vehicle VA and is present within a predetermined distance ahead of the vehicle VA.

[0042] If there is no preceding vehicle, the CPU determines "No" in step 410 and executes steps 415 to 425. Step 415: The CPU obtains a constant speed target acceleration Gctgt for making the vehicle speed Vs coincide with the set vehicle speed Vset by applying the set vehicle speed Vset and the vehicle speed Vs to the following equation (1). Gctgt = k1 × (Vset - Vs) (1) In addition, k1 in the above formula (1) is a predetermined gain (coefficient).

[0043] Step 420: The CPU controls the power train actuator 40 and the brake actuator 42 so that the acceleration G coincides with the constant speed target acceleration Gctgt. Step 425: The CPU determines whether or not the driver has operated an accelerator pedal (not shown).

[0044] If the driver has not operated the accelerator pedal, the CPU determines "No" in step 425. In this case, the process proceeds to step 430. In step 430, the CPU determines whether or not the driver has operated the brake pedal (not shown).

[0045] If the driver has not operated the brake pedal, the CPU determines "No" in step 430. In this case, the process proceeds to step 435. In step 435, the CPU determines whether the driver has operated the cancel switch .

[0046] If the driver has not operated the cancel switch 34, the CPU determines "No" in step 435. In this case, the process proceeds to step 495. In step 495, the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0047] If the driver operates the accelerator pedal when the process proceeds to step 425, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 425, and the process proceeds to step 440. If the driver operates the brake pedal when the process proceeds to step 430, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 430, and the process proceeds to step 440. If the driver operates the cancel switch 34 when the process proceeds to step 435, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 435, and the process proceeds to step 440. In step 440, the CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "0". After that, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0048] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is “0” when the CPU proceeds to step 405, the CPU determines “No” in step 405. In this case, the process proceeds to step 445. In step 445, the CPU determines whether the driver has operated the reset switch 36.

[0049] If the driver has not operated the reset switch 36, the CPU determines "No" in step 445. After that, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0050] If the driver operates the reset switch 36, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 445, and the process proceeds to step 450. In step 450, the CPU sets the value of the execution flag Xexe to "1." After that, the process proceeds to step 495, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0051] If a preceding vehicle is present when the process proceeds to step 410, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 410. In this case, the process proceeds to step 455. In step 455, the CPU obtains a following target acceleration Gftgt for making the inter-vehicle distance D equal to the set distance Dset by applying the set vehicle speed Vset, the vehicle speed Vs, and the relative speed Vr of the preceding vehicle to the following equation (2). Gftgt=ka1×(k2×(D-Dset)+k3×Vr) ···(2) In the above formula (2), k1, k2, and k3 are predetermined gains (coefficients). After that, the process proceeds to step 420. In step 420, the CPU controls the power train actuator 40 and the brake actuator 42 so that the acceleration G coincides with the following target acceleration Gftgt.

[0052] <Display control routine> When an appropriate time arrives, the CPU starts the process from step 500 in FIG. 5, and in step 505, it determines whether the value of the on flag Xon is "1".

[0053] If the value of the on flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 505, and the process proceeds to step 510. In step 510, the CPU determines whether the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway. As an example, the CPU determines that the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway during a period from when the entrance to the expressway is detected based on a camera image to when the exit of the expressway is detected based on the camera image. As another example, the CPU refers to map data, and determines that the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway when the type of the road at the current position identified by the GNSS receiver 26a is an expressway. As yet another example, the CPU may determine whether the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway based on a communication history of an ETC card (not shown).

[0054] If the vehicle VA is not traveling on an expressway, the CPU determines “No” in step 510 and executes steps 515 and 520 .

[0055] Step 515: The CPU sets the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator lamp 54 to the first area 58. Step 520: The CPU determines whether the value of the on flag Xon is "1" or not.

[0056] If the value of the on flag Xon is "0", the CPU determines "No" in step 520, and the process proceeds to step 525. In step 525, the CPU does not display the cruise status indicator lamp 54. After that, the process proceeds to step 595, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0057] If the value of the on flag Xon is "1", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 520, and the process proceeds to step 530. In step 530, the CPU determines whether the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0" or not.

[0058] If the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1", the CPU determines "No" in step 530, and the process proceeds to step 535. In step 535, the CPU displays the green cruise status indicator light 54 in the display area. After that, the process proceeds to step 595, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0059] On the other hand, if the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0", the CPU determines "Yes" in step 530, and the process proceeds to step 540. In step 540, the CPU displays the white cruise status indicator light 54 in the display area. After that, the process proceeds to step 595, and the CPU temporarily ends this routine.

[0060] If the value of the on flag Xon is "1" when the process proceeds to step 505, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 505 and the process proceeds to step 545. If the vehicle VA is traveling on an expressway when the process proceeds to step 510, the CPU determines "Yes" in step 510 and the process proceeds to step 545. In step 545, the CPU sets the display area to the second area 60. After that, the process proceeds to step 520.

[0061] According to the device of the present invention, when at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the display area for displaying the cruise status indicator light 54 is set to the second area 60. This reduces the possibility that the driver will find the cruise status indicator light 54 annoying, while increasing the possibility that the driver will be able to easily view the cruise status indicator light 54.

[0062] <Modification> In the above embodiment, when the value of the on-flag Xon is "0", the CPU does not display the cruise status indicator light 54 (step 525), but the CPU may display the cruise status indicator light 54 in a display manner different from that when the value of the on-flag Xon is "1". That is, it is only necessary that the manner of the cruise status indicator light 54 differs between when the value of the on-flag Xon is "1" and when the value of the on-flag Xon is "0".

[0063] In the above embodiment, when the value of the on-flag Xon is "1", the CPU displays the green cruise status indicator light 54 when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1", and displays the white cruise status indicator light 54 when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0", but this is not limited to this. It is sufficient that when the value of the on-flag Xon is "1", the appearance of the cruise status indicator light 54 differs between when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" and when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "0".

[0064] Note that the configuration in which the state of the cruise status indicator lamp 54 differs when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" and when the value is "0" is not a required configuration of the present device 10. The state of the cruise status indicator lamp 54 may be the same when the value of the execution flag Xexe is "1" and when the value is "0".

[0065] The display device 44 does not have to be disposed on the instrument panel, but may be disposed in a position visible to the driver. For example, the display device 44 may be a head-up display.

[0066] The present device 10 is applicable to vehicles such as internal combustion engine vehicles, hybrid vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicles. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 10...vehicle display control device, 20...ECU, 32...cruise switch, 40...power train actuator, 42...brake actuator, 44...display device, 54...cruise status indicator light

Claims

1. a control unit capable of executing driving assistance control for driving the vehicle so that a vehicle speed indicating a speed of the vehicle coincides with a preset set vehicle speed or so that the vehicle follows a preceding vehicle; a display device in which a status display element relating to an execution status of the driving support control is displayed in a preset display area, The control unit When neither a first condition that the driving assist control is being executed nor a second condition that the vehicle is driving on an expressway is satisfied, the display area is set to a first area; When at least one of the first condition and the second condition is satisfied, the display area is set to a second area; The second area is set at a position where the driver's visibility is higher than that of the first area. Vehicle display control device.

2. 2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, The control unit When the vehicle is to follow the preceding vehicle in the driving support control, the vehicle is driven so that a vehicle-to-vehicle distance between the preceding vehicle and the vehicle coincides with a preset distance; displaying setting display elements relating to the set vehicle speed and the set distance in the second area; A display control device for a vehicle configured as above.

3. 2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, The control unit The state of the situation display element is configured to be different between a case where the first condition is satisfied and a case where the first condition is not satisfied. Vehicle display control device.

4. The display control device for a vehicle according to any one of claims 1 and 3, The control unit When a predetermined interruption condition is satisfied during execution of the driving support control, the driving support control is interrupted from when the interruption condition is satisfied until when a predetermined resumption condition is satisfied, The state of the situation display element is configured to be different between a case where the driving support control is interrupted while the driving support control is being executed and a case where the driving support control is not interrupted. Vehicle display control device.

5. 2. The vehicle display control device according to claim 1, The control unit is configured to execute the driving assistance control during a period from when a predetermined switch is operated until when the predetermined switch is operated again when the driving assistance control is not being executed. Vehicle display control device.

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